Improvement in self-adjusting uterine supporters



,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DRYDEN SMITH, OF BIDDEFORD, MAINE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SELF-ADJUSTIG UTERINE SUPPORTERS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 33,609, dated October 29, 1861.

To all. whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LDEYDEN SMITH, of Biddeford, in the county of York and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful instrument called a Self-Adjusting Uterine Supporter; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings.

The object of this instrument is to restore to a natural and healthy position various uterine displacements,such as prolapsus or falling of the womb or bladder, or retroversion and anteversion, and thereby preventing many organic'diseases resulting therefrom.

Of the said drawings, Figure 1 denotes a front view of the self-adjusting uterine supporter, showing the ring E in a horizontal position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the said ring in nearly a perpendicular position. Y

A A represent the abdominal brace, to which is attached at the point B by means of a joint the tube C, on the upper end of which are two radial arms D and D. To these arms is attached by joints the annular or ring E, and so arranged as to allow the said ring to turn on the said joint and be brought in nearly a perpendicular position and parallel to the axis of the tube C. There is also jointed to the said ring and at right angles to the joints D and D the spindle F, which passes through the tube C, and at the lower end of which is cnt the notch G, which fits to corresponding projection on the inner side of the tube C. There is also jointed to the lower end of the tube C the adjusting-bar H, one end of which passes through the hub I on the abdominal brace A, and by means of which the tube C and the ring E can be held in any desired position by the set-screw J.

The manner of using this instrument is as follows: First loosen the set-screw J, so that the bar II can playv back and forth. Then press the spindle F so as to relieve it from the notch and draw it down through the tube C until it brings the ring E in a perpendicular position. Have it well oiled and pass it into the vagina. fh en it is well en tered, take hold of the abdominal brace A A and turn it carefully until it lies fair against the abdomen. Then stand in an upright position, put your finger on the spindle F and press it up slowly until it catches in the notch G, which will leave the ring E in a horizontal position. The neck of the womb will in nearly all cases catch in the ring E as the spindle F is pushed up; but in case it does not the patient can easily place it there by passing` the finger up by the side of the hub C. The strap attached tothe instrument should then be buckled to a belt previously fastened round the waist and tightened, so as to bring lthe instrument close to the person, but not so close as to make it uncomfortable. In all cases of retroversion or anteversion the tube C must be adjusted so as to bring the womb into its natural position, and the set-screw J set upon the bar I-I so as to hold it there.

/Vhat I claim as my invention, and for which I desire Letters Patent, is j The adjustable bar H, set-screw J, and abdominal brace A A, in combination with tube C, the whole arranged in the manner and for the purpose as specified.

DRYDEN SMITH.

\Vit.nesses:

WARREN SoULE, BENJA. F. HAMILTON. 

